Frostproof Boy, 10, Critical After Being Shot in Head by BB Gun

Published: Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 5:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 11:11 p.m.

FROSTPROOF | A 10-year-old boy shot in the head by a BB gun fired at close range by his brother was in critical condition, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Skyler Richardson was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa after the shooting that took place about 6:53 p.m. Wednesday. A BB was propelled through Skyler's brain, sheriff's officials said.

"This is a tragic accident," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. The boys acted irresponsibly with guns, Judd said Thursday, "but they were just kids being kids."

Deputies say Skyler was outside shooting at targets with his 13-year-old brother, Taylor, at the family's home at 860 Otto Polk Road in Frostproof.

Judd said the boys got their guns about a week ago. They were Daisy PowerLine 880S pump-action models that shoot either BBs or pellets at maximum speeds of 750 to 800 feet per second.

The boys were shooting BBs at targets, the PCSO said.

The boys' mother, Heather Richardson, and her boyfriend, Gary Brown, were at home when the shooting occurred, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said.

Richardson was cooking dinner and checking on the boys periodically, Judd said. "She was doing what mothers do," he said.

"The boys took turns shooting each other with air," Judd said.

Taylor told investigators that he pumped the gun several times and pointed it at his brother, the PCSO said. More pumping means a faster BB.

Taylor fired from about 6 inches and a BB hit Skyler just above the right ear. Judd said.

"It pierced his skull and went clear through his brain," lodging at the other side of the skull, Judd said.

Skyler fell to the ground unconscious immediately, Judd said.

"He is in exceptionally critical shape, and has been in surgery once," Judd said.

Neither boy is old enough to shoot the gun, the company says.

"Pump the gun three times for indoor target practice or up to 10 times to achieve maximum velocity for outdoor shooting and pest control," Daisy's website says. "Daisy's PowerLine Model 880 is appropriate for adults and those over 16 years of age under adult supervision."

Judd and Wood said the family is devastated.

Patti McGill, principal at Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary in Frostproof, said Skyler is a student at the school and "he is well liked."

"Everyone's thoughts and prayers go out to the family," she said. Everyone, including Skyler's "schoolmates, teachers and former teachers are just devastated," McGill said.

Taylor is a student at Roosevelt Academy in Lake Wales, Frostproof school officials said. Officials at Roosevelt declined comment.

The accidental shooting is "a tragic lesson," Judd said.

"If you don't think a BB gun can cause significant injury' unfortunately, here is the terrible example that they can."

[ Ledger Media Group reporter Phil Attinger contributed to this story. Rick Rousos can be reached at rick.rousos@theledger.com. ]

<p>FROSTPROOF | A 10-year-old boy shot in the head by a BB gun fired at close range by his brother was in critical condition, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.</p><p>Skyler Richardson was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa after the shooting that took place about 6:53 p.m. Wednesday. A BB was propelled through Skyler's brain, sheriff's officials said.</p><p>"This is a tragic accident," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. The boys acted irresponsibly with guns, Judd said Thursday, "but they were just kids being kids."</p><p>Deputies say Skyler was outside shooting at targets with his 13-year-old brother, Taylor, at the family's home at 860 Otto Polk Road in Frostproof.</p><p>Judd said the boys got their guns about a week ago. They were Daisy PowerLine 880S pump-action models that shoot either BBs or pellets at maximum speeds of 750 to 800 feet per second.</p><p>The boys were shooting BBs at targets, the PCSO said.</p><p>The boys' mother, Heather Richardson, and her boyfriend, Gary Brown, were at home when the shooting occurred, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said.</p><p>Richardson was cooking dinner and checking on the boys periodically, Judd said. "She was doing what mothers do," he said.</p><p>"The boys took turns shooting each other with air," Judd said. </p><p>Taylor told investigators that he pumped the gun several times and pointed it at his brother, the PCSO said. More pumping means a faster BB.</p><p>Taylor fired from about 6 inches and a BB hit Skyler just above the right ear. Judd said. </p><p>"It pierced his skull and went clear through his brain," lodging at the other side of the skull, Judd said.</p><p>Skyler fell to the ground unconscious immediately, Judd said. </p><p>"He is in exceptionally critical shape, and has been in surgery once," Judd said.</p><p>Neither boy is old enough to shoot the gun, the company says.</p><p>"Pump the gun three times for indoor target practice or up to 10 times to achieve maximum velocity for outdoor shooting and pest control," Daisy's website says. "Daisy's PowerLine Model 880 is appropriate for adults and those over 16 years of age under adult supervision."</p><p>Judd and Wood said the family is devastated.</p><p>Patti McGill, principal at Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary in Frostproof, said Skyler is a student at the school and "he is well liked."</p><p>"Everyone's thoughts and prayers go out to the family," she said. Everyone, including Skyler's "schoolmates, teachers and former teachers are just devastated," McGill said. </p><p>Taylor is a student at Roosevelt Academy in Lake Wales, Frostproof school officials said. Officials at Roosevelt declined comment. </p><p>The accidental shooting is "a tragic lesson," Judd said.</p><p>"If you don't think a BB gun can cause significant injury' unfortunately, here is the terrible example that they can."</p><p>[ Ledger Media Group reporter Phil Attinger contributed to this story. Rick Rousos can be reached at rick.rousos@theledger.com. ]</p>